Brandon Nimmo stumbled around third base in the first inning of Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader, leading many to wonder if that was the first catalyst towards the right hamstring strain that forced him out of the game an inning later, and eventually placed on the injured list between games.
However, it was actually as he was rounding third base in his second trip around the sacks when he felt “a little grab” in the hammy.
“It was just when I was rounding third base, right before I hit the bag, I kind of just felt a grab,” Nimmo said after Game 2. “I thought the next step or two I might be able to kind of, just be a normal thing, and then when I took the next step, I felt it a little bit again and the strides started getting shorter and shorter."
Frustrating for Nimmo, who missed nearly two months earlier this year with a finger injury, and has played in just 77 of 136 games this season. Doubly so, however, because while the Mets held down the fort and stayed in first place during that absence, they now have just 26 games left to try to get back into the postseason.
“Extremely frustrated, and not where I want to be,” Nimmo said. “I want to be out there playing with the team and helping out, and making this September one to remember. I’m frustrated, but a little more positive after it initially happened. I thought maybe I had really screwed the pooch there.”
Listen to New York sports talk now on Audacy and shop the latest Mets team gear!
Still, it's triply frustrating to have a muscle injury of any sort given the great care Nimmo takes to take care of his body.
“Ultimately it comes down to probably one decision I did or did not make today, and that led to an injury. I’m still back-tracking trying to figure it out,” he said. “You know that somewhere throughout the day, one of the decisions you made got you in this situation. It’s extremely frustrating for me because I do take pride in the way I take care of my body – hydration, nutrition, weight lifting – but somewhere along the way I went wrong. But, we’re hoping it’s only like a week and a half.”
Related
He has that hope because the team believes it’s only a slight strain that doesn’t go under the tendons, and according to Nimmo, he knows from past experience that he heals quickly from muscle injuries.
“We did get some good news that we think it’s a mild strain that’s just muscular and doesn’t go under the tendon. That’s a positive to build on,” he said. “I do know from past experiences that I do heal fast muscle-wise, so I’m hoping it’s not a season-ender.”
Hope, but no guarantees.
“I won’t guarantee anything because I know it’s tricky with these things, but in my heart of hearts, I really do think I’ll be back.”
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroWFAN
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch